Condiment dispenser

ABSTRACT

A portable condiment dispenser having resilient manually operable closing means permitting the device to be carried in the pocket of the user. The device is particularly suitable for use by persons requiring specialized condiments by reason of restrictive diets and the like.

United States Patent Saipe et a1.

[.11] 3,883,048 [4 1 May 13, 1975 CONDIMENT DISPENSER Inventors: Morton Saipe, 6 Gault Park Dr.,

Westport, Conn. 06880; George K. Maljanian, 67 Blue Ridge Rd., Wilton. Conn. 06897 Filed: Nov. 29, 1973 Appl. No.: 419,936

US. Cl. 222/518 Int. Cl B67d 3/00 Field of Search 222/565, 518, 193, 501;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1925 Roehrs 1. 222/565 X 7/1943 Barnes 222/565 X 2,495,806 1/1950 Block t. 222/565 X 3344.942 10/1967 Hedgewick 215/44 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 476,679 5/1929 Germany 222/565 Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tallberg Assistant Examiner-Norman L. Stack, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmCharles E. Temko [57] ABSTRACT 3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known in the art to provide condiment dispensers having closeable orifices which are manually moveable between open and closed positions. Other constructions provide a removable cap which selectively overlies the dispenser openings. Most prior art constructions are not suitable for carrying in the pocket of the user for the reason that inevitable movement of the device within the pocket may dislodge the closure and permit the contents of the dispenser to spill into the pocket.

With the medical discovery that certain pathological conditions require salt-free diets, there has arisen a substantial need for individuals to provide themselves with a small personal supply of a sodium salt substitute which may be used as the occasion arises when away from home.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated, the invention contemplates the provision of a portable device for potassium chloride salt in crystal form, which will automatically remain in closed condition until required, and which may be conveniently opened using the fingers of one hand for use, release of the device again automatically closing the dispenser openings. The manually engageable means is so configured as not to be readily unintentionally opened.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification. similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a similar side elevational view showing the manual manipulation of the same from closed to opened condition.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view in elevation showing the component parts of the device.

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the device.

FIG. 5 is a central longitudinal sectional view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a central longitudinal sectional view thereof, partly in elevation, and corresponding to that seen in FIG. 5, with certain of the component parts in altered relative position.

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view as seen from the plane 7-7 in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENT In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly: a tubular main body element 11, a closure element 12, and a cap element 13.

The tubular main body element 11 includes a cylindrical side wall 15 bounded by an outer surface 16, an inner surface 17 and a first end edge 18. Extending radially inwardly from the edge 18 are a plurality of fingers 19 supporting an end wall 20, and forming therewith a plurality of arcuately shaped interstices 21. Extending longitudinally from a second edge 22 are first and second longitudinal slots 23 and 24, respectively.

Laterally communicating bayonet means 25 and 26 interconnect respectively with the slots 23 and 24.

The closure element 12 includes a cylindrical tube 29 having an outer surface 30 and an inner surface 31. An upper edge 32 interconnects with an end wall 33. A lower edge 34 directly overlies the interstices 21, in such manner that slidable movement between the element 12 and the element 11 results in the edgecontacting inner surfaces of the fingers 19 to close said interstices. A manually engagable member 35 in the form of a cylindrical sleeve is supported by connecting portions 36 which project ,through the slots 23 and 24 to permit manually imparted movement illustrated in FIG. 2 externally of the main body element 11.

The cap element 13 includes a cylindrical wall 40 bounded by a lower edge 41. An upper edge 42 communicates with an end wall 43 to define a recess 44. Inwardly directed lugs 45 selectively engage the slots 23 and 24, and, with rotation, the bayonet means 25 and 26 to maintain the cap element 13 in engaged condition upon the main body element 11. A coil spring 46 includes a first end 47 overlying the inner surface of the end wall 43, and a second end 48 which contacts an outwardly disposed surface of the end wall 33, placement of the cap element upon the main body element serving to compress this spring.

The device 10 is loaded with a condiment by removing the cap element 13 and sliding the closure element 12 from engagement with the main body element 11. Inverting the closure element from the position shown in FIG. 3 permits the pouring of a condiment into the open ended recess in the closure element, following which the main body element 11 is engaged thereupon. Replacement of the cap element 13 resiliently urges the closure element 12 to the position shown in FIG. 5 wherein the interstices 21 are closed, and no condiment can escape therethrough.

Dispensing of the condiment is accomplished by grasping the device as shown in FIG. 2, and urging upwardly the manually engageable member 35 resulting in a shifting of the closure element 12 to the position shown in FIG. 6, following which condiment will flow through the interstices 21, this action being controllable by shaking in a conventional manner, if desired. Upon release of the member 35, the spring 46 expands to return the device to the condition in FIG. 5, following which the device may be returned to the pocket of a user. Owing to the rounded configuration of the member 35, and the strength of the spring 46, accidental dislodgement of the closure element relative to the main body element 11 is effectively prevented.

It may thus be seen that we have disclosed a novel and highly useful condiment dispenser, particularly suited for those suffering from heart conditions and related diseases so as to require specialized condiments. The device may be manufactured as an attractive piece of jewelry, using precious metals, or, where lower cost of manufacture is desired, base metals or synthetic resinous materials may be employed with equal success.

We wish it to be understood that we do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

We claim:

1. A portable condiment dispenser comprising: a tubular main body element having a continuous side wall and an end wall at one end thereof defining at least one through opening, said side wall having at least one longitudinally arranged slot therein; a closure element slideably disposed within said body element, and cooperating therewith to form a condiment retaining chamher, and shiftable between first and second positions, in said first position, said closure element unobstructing said opening, and in said second position said closure element closing said opening; said closure element having manually engageable means thereon projecting through said longitudinally arranged-slots; and a cap element selectively engaged upon a second end of said main body element to define therewith an enclosed v ment.' 

1. A portable condiment dispenser comprising: a tubular main body element having a continuous side wall and an end wall at one end thereof defining at least one through opening, said side wall having at least one longitudinally arranged slot therein; a closure element slideably disposed within said body element, and cooperating therewith to form a condiment retaining chamber, and shiftable between first and second positions, in said first position, said closure element unobstructing said opening, and in said second position said closure element closing said opening; said closure element having manually engageable means thereon projecting through said longitudinally arranged slots; and a cap element selectively engaged upon a second end of said main body element to define therewith an enclosed cavity for the retention of a condiment.
 2. Structure in accordance with claim 1, said closure element including an end wall underlying said cap element and resilient means communicating between said cap element and an end of said closure element serving to urge said closure element to said second position.
 3. Structure in accordance with claim 2, said manually engageable means including a cylindrical sleeve surrounding an outer surface of said main body element. 